Calamitous polls

Despite the fact that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to issue notifications to leaders of political parties who engaged in violent behaviour during the recent by-elections in Karachi, this issue demands more attention. Nearly every municipal and general election in Pakistan since 1970, and even before, has been marred by attacks on voting sites. The police file reports and make arrests, but the violence returns throughout the next election cycle. Activists and employees are almost always killed in such incidents, and voters and passers-by are occasionally targeted as well. The problem is not new, but the country’s extreme divisiveness has heightened the possibility of violence in the upcoming elections, whether by-polls or general elections. There are a variety of reasons for this polarisation, and the threat of violence will continue to rise unless the core causes are addressed. These issues are the result of social behaviours and political cultures that have developed over the years as a result of various political parties. To control violence in elections, at least three major players should work together: political parties, law enforcement agencies, and the ECP. Political parties are primarily responsible for instilling democratic values in their supporters and workers. This involves a high level of tolerance for other people’s viewpoints, a dedication to nonviolence, non-interference in electoral proceedings, and listening to election officials’ and law enforcement officials’ advice and direction. The capacity and courage to accept failure gracefully is possibly the most important. Most political parties feed their supporters an excessive amount of self-righteousness as well as a high level of overconfidence in their candidate’s election victory. This incites an already enraged crowd of supporters to riot if their candidates lose the election. Some candidates know their coming defeat even before the results are released, and because they lack the moral strength to accept their failure, they urge their supporters to violence. This can already be observed in the tense rallies led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, where anything that goes against the PTI’s policies or tenure in power is considered treasonous. If they have any faith in democratic principles, all parties must take this issue of violence seriously. If violence breaks out, law enforcement authorities will have a lot to answer for. In many situations, the cops simply stand by and watch as criminals have a field day. Before the elections, a high-level meeting should be held, and a detailed plan should be drawn out to avert violence on election day. CCTV cameras may and should be used to record violent behaviour and identify the perpetrators. To deal with such scenarios, the police should be well-equipped and trained. Any failure to perform their duties should be addressed right away. There should be some kind of central monitoring system in place so that authorities can act quickly and dispatch troops if necessary. Finally, the ECP should make it clear to all political parties that candidates who incite their supporters to violence may face disqualification. The ECP, as the country’s premier electoral organisation, should have complete control over all authority and power in order to prevent violence on election day. Pakistan’s democracy is always in jeopardy, and the country cannot afford any violence that jeopardises the voting process.
All political parties, LEAs, and the ECP have a shared responsibility to ensure that elections are held in a free and fair manner, free of violence. This year and next, we will have many elections at the local, provincial, and national levels. The only antidote to electoral violence may be timely collaboration between the three primary stakeholders.